Nestled at 15 rue Lamennais in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, Le Taillevent stands as a beacon of French gastronomy. Under the guidance of the Gardinier brothers since 2011 and led by Chef Giuliano Sperandio, the restaurant offers an intuitive and contemporary culinary experience, deeply rooted in a history that began in 1946, all within an exceptional architectural setting.
Le Taillevent, Rue Lamennais: A Rendezvous of Parisian Fine Dining
The name “Taillevent” pays homage to Guillaume Tirel, a 14th-century chef to Kings Charles V and Charles VI, known as “Sire de Taillevent” and author of “Le Viandier,” the first culinary work in the French language. Founded in 1946 by André Vrinat in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the establishment thrived for decades under the Vrinat family before being acquired in 2011 by the Gardinier brothers – Thierry, Stéphane, and Laurent – the third generation of the Gardinier Group.
Today, Chef Giuliano Sperandio presides over the kitchens. His cuisine is defined by intuition, emotion, and contemporaneity, guided by the moment’s inspiration, the people involved, and the quality of the ingredients. Committed to respecting raw products and collaborating with producers, winemakers, and artisans of taste, he articulates his vision: “While technique is a prerequisite, my cooking is an expression of my feelings at the moment, of people, of products. It aims to be legible, free, with a hint of the unexpected, and humanity is at its core.” The menu features dishes such as lobster, cuttlefish with Colonnata lard, and scallops.
Located in the department of Paris (75), Le Taillevent occupies a former private mansion of the Duke of Morny, whose remarkable architecture combines cut stone, majestic pilasters, delicate capitals, and a grand staircase. Two dining rooms welcome guests: the Trianon room, with its straw marquetry alcoves crafted by Ateliers Lison de Caunes, and the Lamennais room, adorned with oak paneling and gilded copper leaf frescoes inspired by “Le Viandier.” The renovation was overseen by architect Yann Montfort and artist Solène Eloy.
A Culinary Experience Centered on Gesture, Wine, and Sharing
Le Taillevent asserts a singular place in the history of French gastronomy as the first restaurant to re-emphasize the “gesture.” In the dining room, flambés, carvings, and minute seasonings, as well as the decanting of wines by candlelight, punctuate the service. This tradition is embodied in an eponymous menu, “Gestes du Taillevent,” which complements the “Héritage du Taillevent” menu. These two four-course tasting menus are the signatures of the house, designed to weave a living link between the cuisine and its guests.
On the wine front, Head Sommelier Thomas Millet brings an instinctive and unique approach, developed without formal sommelier training, through encounters and a passion built on the ground. He shares with Giuliano Sperandio a vision centered on humanity and the present moment. Le Taillevent’s cellar is one of the most magnificent in Paris: it houses nearly 40,000 bottles and lists over 3,800 references, some of which have rested for several decades. It benefits from rare allocations from iconic vineyards such as Domaine François Raveneau, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and Domaine Leflaive, a legacy of the ties forged by André Vrinat as early as 1946.
The Gardinier Group, founded in 1927 by Lucien Gardinier and now in its third generation, unites a collection of Houses in France, England, the United States, Lebanon, and Japan around the triptych of gastronomy, wine, and hospitality. With over 480 employees and a turnover exceeding 55 million euros, the group asserts a clear ambition: “To enhance, share, cultivate, and transmit the richness of our Houses’ living heritage and to anchor them in their time.”
Le Taillevent Opening Hours and Practical Information
Le Taillevent restaurant is open from Monday to Friday, weekdays only. Lunch is served from Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, and dinner from Monday to Friday from 7:15 PM to 9:00 PM. The establishment is accessible from several metro stations in the 8th arrondissement, near the Champs-Élysées. It is advisable to plan appropriate transportation, as parking options in this central district of Paris are limited.
The article was written by Marie and published on May 5, 2026.
